Career guides
Practical, general guidance for officers who are moving agencies, moving states or moving into the private sector. Each guide shows when we last reviewed it. Rules change, so always confirm with the agency or state board.
Lateral transfer guideHow to plan a move to another agency. Covers what to check before applying, what to gather, and how laterals usually differ from entry-level hiring.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
State certification reciprocityHow officer certification works when you move states, with details from official sources for the states we've verified and links to every state's board.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
Oral board interview prepHow to prepare for an oral board, including common question types, how to structure answers, and what experienced officers should do differently.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
Background and polygraph prepHow to prepare for the background investigation and (where an agency uses one) the polygraph, focusing on honesty, consistency and organization.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
Moving from law enforcement to the private sectorHow law enforcement experience carries over to security, private investigations and insurance special investigations units (SIU), and what to check before you switch.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
Not legal advice. These guides are general information, not legal, licensing or career advice for your situation. Certification rules belong to each state's POST or standards board, and hiring rules to each agency.